Matt Barrows

Published on Sep. 11, 2012

Sep. 11, 2012

What was Patrick Willis, perhaps the 49ers' best player and certainly their most well known defender, doing on the sideline for 20 plays Sunday?

It was easily the most snaps Willis has missed when healthy. The reason was part of the surprise defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had in store for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. After using a dime — six defensive backs — package in spots last year, Fangio used it extensively in Green Bay.

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Perrish Cox entered the game for 31 snaps, most of the time in place of Willis, the team's four-time pro bowl inside linebacker. Rodgers threw for more than 300 yards, but Green Bay did not have many back-breaking offensive plays. Furthermore, using six defensive backs didn't hurt the 49ers' run defense. The Packers were held to 45 rushing yards, 27 of them on scrambles by Rodgers. ....

The 49ers escaped the game with no major injuries. The worst may have been to left tackle Joe Staley's nose.

His white jersey was stained with blood and he said he couldn't breathe through his nose. Staley will see a plastic surgeon this week to see if it's broken, but he is not expected to miss any time. Staley played throughout Sunday's game despite suffering the injury on the first play.